Rented a Switchback!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
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From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
Rented a Switchback!
I rented a Dyna Switchback this weekend while in the Texas Hill Country and here are my thoughts. It looks good in black and is very comfortable for me. The stock seat position with the mini apes and floorboards works really well. The bike rode smooth on the highway and on twisty country roads. The bike feels relatively light in weight and is easy to maneuver at low speeds. The hard bags come in handy and have decent storage capacity. That's the good news.
Now for areas that could use improvement. The short windshield works okay, but a taller shield would definitely be better at highway speeds. I'm used to riding a Road King so was constantly trying to shift with my heel. It seems to me that full floorboards and a heel shifter should go together. The 103 engine runs much hotter than my 96 and I didn't notice any power difference. If anything, the 103 seemed to have less overall power than my 96 Road King which really surprised me since the Dyna weighs over 100 pounds less and has the bigger displacement engine. The stock exhaust is the quietest I've heard yet on a Harley. Adding slip ons would be a requirement for me.
Overall, I was impressed with the looks and handling of the Switchback, but was a bit disappointed in the power since I was expecting more than it had. I didn't get a chance to remove the windshield and bags, but I think that's a great feature of the bike and from pictures I've seen it looks really good that way. I definitely won't be rushing to the dealer to trade in my Road King for a Switchback, but it's a lot of bike for the money and is very versatile.
Now for areas that could use improvement. The short windshield works okay, but a taller shield would definitely be better at highway speeds. I'm used to riding a Road King so was constantly trying to shift with my heel. It seems to me that full floorboards and a heel shifter should go together. The 103 engine runs much hotter than my 96 and I didn't notice any power difference. If anything, the 103 seemed to have less overall power than my 96 Road King which really surprised me since the Dyna weighs over 100 pounds less and has the bigger displacement engine. The stock exhaust is the quietest I've heard yet on a Harley. Adding slip ons would be a requirement for me.
Overall, I was impressed with the looks and handling of the Switchback, but was a bit disappointed in the power since I was expecting more than it had. I didn't get a chance to remove the windshield and bags, but I think that's a great feature of the bike and from pictures I've seen it looks really good that way. I definitely won't be rushing to the dealer to trade in my Road King for a Switchback, but it's a lot of bike for the money and is very versatile.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 213
From: Atoka, TN
i have been looking at them. I like the way they look (haven't ridden one) and the idea of stripping it down for playing in town, but I don't know if I would be happy with it. I already have a 103 in my RK and think the extra weight helps keep the ride smooth. My back hurts enough as it is, I'm guessing with the shorter wheel base that it would be a rougher ride. I just need to get a toy like a souped up 48 or 72 to beat on when I feel tearing around town.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
still cannot see the fascination folks have with that heel shifter....nice concept...good novelty....but how the hell do you fit your boot between the heel and toe shifters?? Makes me feel like my foot is in a box, have like 1/4 inch on either end of wiggle room.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Badlands of ND
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,840
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From: Northern WV
Thanks for the review XKnight. I'm like oaken in that I don't care for the heel shifter so that wouldn't bother me. As far as power, I recall my 96" EG loosened up and ran noticeably better after 600 miles. It kept improving up to maybe 2,000 at which time it must have fully broken in. How many miles did the Switchback you rode have on it?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 820
From: Nevada
If I was in the market I'd consider a Switchback. I currently ride an Ultra. It would be nice to shed some weight and get back to basics.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 664
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From: Nowhere
Personally, I don't think the 103 runs any hotter than the 96 I had several years ago but I think it feels like it has way more power so that is definitely suggestive.
I couldn't tell the 96 had any more power than the 88 I had.
It is quiet stock but after all these years of riding I prefer it that way now. Sounds good when you get on tho, even with the stock mufflers.
I couldn't tell the 96 had any more power than the 88 I had.
It is quiet stock but after all these years of riding I prefer it that way now. Sounds good when you get on tho, even with the stock mufflers.